Senior Reporter
David Bahati, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party Chairman for Kabale District and Minister of State for Trade, Industry, and Co-operatives, issued a stern warning to Party District Registrars regarding unlawful registration practices.
Bahati delivered this warning during the launch of the NRM Register’s display and update event in Kabale District, held at the National Teachers College in Kabale Municipality today. The registration update process is set to take place from Wednesday, March 13th, to Sunday, March 17th, 2024.
Stressing the legal repercussions, Minister Bahati emphasized that engaging in illegal registration could lead to imprisonment for up to seven years. He cautioned NRM registrars at the village and Sub County levels against tampering with the register, specifically by adding underage individuals and non-Ugandans.
Underlining the importance of a credible register in maintaining democracy, Bahati urged registrars to conduct the registration exercise with the utmost integrity.
Looking forward to the significance of the upcoming 2026 elections, Minister Bahati highlighted the party’s preparedness for the pivotal year. He revealed concerns about the whereabouts of the remaining registered voters, given that despite registering 10 million voters in the previous 2021 election, President Museveni secured victory with only 5 million votes. He urged all Ugandans to mobilize and ensure substantial voter turnout for the historic vote.
Additionally, Bahati called for unity among members, emphasizing the NRM’s dedication to sustained growth and citing successful political parties like Tanzania’s Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) as examples to follow.
Bahati also encouraged residents not only to register but also to actively participate in voting when the time comes.
Babrah Ainebyoona, the Kabale District NRM Registrar, cautioned Sub County and Local Council One registrars against politicizing the registration process and urged them to maintain the integrity of the registers diligently.
